Like a paper house burning

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SEUNGWAN was busy writing accounts for the various purchases made for the household when Wheein clearing her throat raised her head from her register.

"How may I help you?" Seungwan asked, laying aside her work on a nearby table and neatly folding her arms in her lap.

Wheein quietly appraised the woman before her. She could understand why her brother found her so suspicious. It was something about her efficiency - perfect to the point it was alarming.

Namjoon's funeral was postponed to an indefinite date, so that arrangements for Joohyun's own funeral could be made as well, preferably with Namjoon's. In the light of all that had happened, she alone had managed to keep her cool.

Even Seokjin looked ruffled with all this business when he was interviewed to confirm the details of the dinner the night when both Joohyun and Jimin were both murdered. Yerim was besides her usual self, having been the first to see Joohyun's dead body. Hansol had lost a good lot of color every time he saw the police and avoided the mansion in general, thus leaving Yerim without company. This only increased her anxiety.

Taehyung, too, was visibly shaken by all that had happened as well as his husband. They, however, frequented the house, on the request of Yerim, who was beginning to grow paranoid that someone might attack her next if she was spotted unaccompanied.

When questioned why she did not ask a staff member, she sheepishly said Mrs. Song was much too intimidating to spend time with and that Ms. Son, though pleasant, was too busy (and Yerim respected that the staff had lives of their own).

And besides, she preferred the company of the ever-cheerful Taehyung, who she had missed throughout the years. Taehyung willingly obliged and the three of them spent many an afternoon in the golf courses a block away. Hoseok had unwillingly let them go which puzzled Wheein.

What Wheein found most interesting was the reaction of each member when she asked about the post-it found near Joohyun's bathtub. Seokjin looked confused, Taehyung amused, Yerim alarmed and Hansol agitated. When she showed them the note, each expression increased its intensity. However, all of them gave the same answer:

"I don't know anything about it." Although Taehyung added: "But I should've expected my young step-mother to have a lover of her own. Father must be boring in bed."

Inappropriate the comment may be, Wheein made no effort to reprimand him, knowing that he carried scars of the past, inflicted by the same person he just insulted.

She turned her attention to Seungwan and carefully began a conversation.

"Well, your tip about seeing someone outside the house might be useful, seeing that Jimin was found strangled in the bushes. That means, Jimin was murdered before Joohyun and even the autopsy confirms it. Could you describe them?"

Seungwan tapped her pen on her lips, trying to recall the image.

"It was rather hard to discern who it was, seeing that I believed it to be a hallucination. There's also the fact that it happened so quickly. I do think it could be a man, seeing no shape of a dress. Again, I could be wrong; it could be a woman in breeches or jeans. None of our gardeners, they leave for their homes at half past four. Most of the staff - Ms. Kang the maid, late Mr. Park the manservant, Mr. Song the head gardener and Mrs. Song the cook (a couple) - all retire to their quarters on the ground floor. Except that night, Mrs. Song and Mr. Park were supposed to help me out with serving the food. Ms. Kang would've usually done it, but it was her day off that day. However, Mr. Park didn't turn up either -"

"I see," Wheein said. As she jotted this down, she kept her tone as light as possible as she continued.

"Could you tell me which day was supposed to be Mr. Park's day-off?"

"Tuesdays. He would leave sometime in the afternoon after lunch and return after the staff had dinner, which is roughly half past nine. He would eat out with his sweetheart or just spend the day in the markets, that's what he would tell me - or at least, what I'd hear from Mrs. Song," Seungwan admitted.

"Unfriendly with the male staff?" Wheein asked, just in case someone in the ranks had a grudge with the man. After saying it, however, she felt a bit stupid.

"Not really. He was just not as acquainted. And he worked with us more than with Mr. Song. That and Mr. Song didn't like him too much. He said that he found his personality too queer for his taste - too quirky. Well, they're from different times."

This struck Wheein as odd, for his wardrobe didn't give away too much of an offbeat vibe. It was like any other regular wardrobe, if not excessively organised and neat.

"Friendly with the family? As in, did he converse with them much?"

"Not so much with the males, since they weren't at home much. The women, yes. Often gave them fashion tips. Ms. Kim enjoyed talking to him about various matters apart from clothes - diets, makeup, healthcare, culinary, you name it."

"What about Joohyun?"

"She gave him attention only when she herself needed it. Like, when she tried on a new outfit, or a new shade of lipstick, or a new piece of jewelry. Ms. Kang has a very plain taste in all these matters, whereas Mr. Park didn't. He said he picked up a lot of it from this camp he visits each year. Apparently, he met his sweetheart at the same camp too, just this year, or at least that's what I heard from Mrs. Song."

"Really? Where was this camp, if you could recall?"

"In Jeju Island, I believe. I don't remember her name, though. Mrs. Song might-"

"Thank you so much, Ms. Son," Wheein interjected.

She already knew that his girlfriend's name was Juri and asking Ms. Son was just a means of confirming the facts as well as trying to prolong the actual question.

"My pleasure," she said, picking up her register from the table.

"I wonder what would happen to all the money Mr. Kim left Mrs. Kim, though. Seeing that she made no will-"

"But, she did make one," Seungwan suddenly spoke.

Wheein blinked.

"But, there was no record with the family solicitors."

"Yes, that's because she made a will with the local solicitors. I remember that as clear as day," saying so Seungwan began to retell the events of a month ago.

***

'I was doing some personal shopping in the city-centre on my off-day, which is a Monday, by the way. I stepped out of the pawn shop after selling some personal items, when I saw Mrs. Kim step out of the local solicitor's office - Hankyul Law Group, I think. I approached her and she started after seeing me.

"Why, Seungwan, hello there."

"Mrs. Kim, what were you doing in there?"

She smiled widely, as if she had done the best thing in her life. "Wouldn't you like to know? I was making a will."

"Does that mean-"

"No, not at all, I'm in perfect health. In fact, I never felt better. I just made a will because I felt like it."

"Why not with the family solicitor - Mr. Han's firm? Why Hankyul?" I asked, curious.

"Oh, well - I wouldn't like Joonie to know the contents. And I know Mr. Han is the biggest sneak ever. I bet he would rat me out the second he got the chance. No, it's better this way."

"May I know what's in the will?" I politely asked. She only laughed in response.

"I appreciate your curiosity, Seungwan but my will's my business and I shall keep its contents to myself, at least. Swear not to tell anyone, okay?"

It was rare to find her speak so nicely to me, so I agreed.'

***

"I hope that was helpful," Seungwan added, after a pause.

"It most certainly was," Wheein said, feigning surprise. She thanked Seungwan and left the room.

She dialled a number on her phone and waited for her call to be answered. When it was, she began speaking without exchanging any of the usual pleasantries.

"Hoseok, Mr. Min's tip paid off. Meet me at the address I'm gonna text you in a minute."

"Roger that."

She rushed downstairs and left the House of Kim.

*

Unlike Mr. Han, Mr. Jang, the solicitor in charge of Kim Joohyun's will, was all too eager to help out the police in their investigation, being afraid of getting on their wrong side. He confirmed that she had indeed come there to make a will and expressed her wish at having no member of the Kim family ever discovering its contents. However, in the light of the recent tragedy, he would all the more be willing to make allowances so that the investigation could become speedier. He excused himself so that he could search for her will.

Wheein looked at Hoseok. "This does make things a lot simpler, doesn't it?"

Hoseok didn't answer. He licked his dry lips in anticipation. Mr. Jang returned from his office and tucked under his arm was a neat brown paper package.

He stumbled a little as he thrust the document into Hoseok's hand, who shakily opened the package and unfurled the piece of printed paper into the open. Wheein held her breath in as she stood on her toes to read the manuscript.

Casting aside the formal terminology, the will was short and to the point. Kim Joohyun had left everything of value that she had possessed to Chwe Hansol.

Mr. Jang beamed at their incredulous faces. "Doesn't look like a family member, does he? Perhaps that's why she was so secretive about it. But it doesn't look like she had much to leave. Just a few furs and jewelry, I believe. Not too much cash."

Hoseok carelessly nodded, unable to tear his eyes away from the will. While she had made the will, Joohyun may not have had that much to leave. But after the enormous bequest made to her in her husband's will, she did. And all that money was now going in Chwe Hansol's pocket.

*

Seokjin chewed his lip in worry. He glanced at Yerim who was chatting with Hansol in hushed voices. Then, he changed his gaze's direction to Taehyung and Jungkook who were engaged in a game of chess. He looked outside the window and saw the Jung siblings walking towards the mansion.

For some reason, he had a feeling that something horrible was about to happen. Was it foreboding news they carried? Or was it another nasty detail about the case that he didn't know? He failed to realise that both his assumptions were one and the same.

After a minute, the house bell resonated in the library, making all heads in the library turn to the library door. Here it was, the important news that Hoseok had to tell them. He had specifically requested all members of the family to be present. Seokjin tried to ask him on call about the details but was cut short, since Hoseok insisted that it was imperative he hear it in person.

Five minutes later, Wheein and Hoseok entered the library. They were instantly pelted by questions but Hoseok waved them aside.

"We discovered that Kim Joohyun had a will," he finally spoke. Silence transcended on the people.

Seokjin's brows furrowed. "But Mr. Han didn't inform us about-"

"Her will wasn't made with the family solicitors. She went to the local solicitor so as to keep it a secret."

"And?" Taehyung queried. Wheein shot a furtive glance at Yerim, who looked the complete opposite of the man next to her - who had gone quite white, a sharp contrast to her excited self.

"It must be her secret lover! I knew a woman like her couldn't be faithful to Father," she sneered.

Hoseok raised his eyebrows. "Really? Funny you should say that, Ms. Kim."

Wheein cleared her throat so as to get everyone's attention.

"'I, Kim Joohyun, leave everything that I ever possessed in my lifetime till my death, to Chwe Hansol Vernon. This includes ...'," here Wheein stopped reading and raised her eyes from the will to see everyone's reaction.

Everyone, from Jungkook to Seokjin, looked bewildered. However, Yerim bore a look that she couldn't decipher.

Was it alarm that she held in her eyes? Or was it anger? Or was it plain dubiety?

"Why, I never-" Seokjin started and stopped, clearly very confused.

"Why would Joohyun leave everything to Hansol?" Jungkook asked innocently.

"'I leave him all my mortal possessions so that he would remember them as belongings of an old lover.'" Wheein completed, gulping.

She stepped back, next to Hoseok, who bore a sombre face.

"I'm afraid," Hoseok said. "Mr. Chwe, you might have to come with us for a little chat."

"Well, this is interesting," Taehyung grinned, but it wasn't a pleasant one. He looked menacingly at Hansol who had turned to stone.

"Tell me, Mr. Chwe, were you or were you not in a romantic relationship with Kim Joohyun?" He asked quietly.

The fear in his eyes spoke volumes, without him having to open and shut his mouth like a fish.

"What's the meaning of this, Hansol?" Seokjin began to vociferate, a vein throbbing in his temple. He stood up, breathing heavily.

Wheein was about to step forward to restrain him, just in case. However, Hoseok placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, questioning. He slowly shook his head. Hansol, who hadn't torn his eyes from the two, stood up and raised a quivering finger at them.

"You- you orchestrated this! The two of you! You devils!" He shrieked.

"Hold those excuses, Hansol. Admit it, you had an affair with Joohyun," Taehyung spoke silkily, his eyes glinting.

That glint was far more dangerous than the fuming Seokjin. Hansol backed a few steps back, resulting in falling back on the sofa.

"W-what nonsense-" Hansol bleated but Hoseok raised his voice before he could utter another blithering farce.

"Why are your pupils dilating, Mr. Chwe?"

"This is a personal matter, you police have no right butting in -" he began, but a trembling voice beside him interrupted him.

"That's enough, Hansol."

Purple in the face, Hansol turned to see a grief-stricken Yerim who sat so still, almost unmoving, she might have passed as a wax statuette. Her face was dry as sand. He took her hand in his own when she looked away from him.

"Y-Yeri-"

"Don't call me that. Only my dear ones can call me that," she whispered, pushing away his hand from hers.

"It's all a lie, my darling. They're all lying!"

"Hardly. T-that note, it was for you, wasn't it?"

"What note?"

"Don't lie, you perfidious moron!" She screeched, pushing him down on the floor.

Jungkook attempted to get up from his seat but found Taehyung holding him back just the way Hoseok held back Wheein.

"I-I should've known," she suddenly chuckled. "All those unexpected calls - those were never for me, were they?"

Hansol shook his head pleadingly but Yerim waggled a finger before his face, mockingly resembling a school-teacher's face.

"Wrong answer, Mr. Chwe Hansol Vernon! Wow, she really used your whole name, too? She wins, again. Even in her death, she wins, all the time," she said ironically, giggling.

Wheein was now genuinely scared, wondering whether the girl had lost her marbles.

"She stole my father, my freedom, my clothes, the very makeup I wore and now, even the love of my life!" She declared, swaying as she spoke.

Her pain wasn't unlike the day she had discovered her father was no more, Hoseok noticed. This time, her hair was braided up so there were no locks of hair falling ungracefully on her face as she spoke. She wore no makeup save for a touch of dark lipstick. There were still no traces of any tears on her face; it remained as dry as the arid desert.

"Sister, you need to sit-" Taehyung began.

"Don't you dare tell me what to do, Kim Taehyung! Don't you dare! You have absolutely no idea what hell I've been through here, all alone! Seokjin is so busy he hardly notices; Joohyun stole every bit of confidence I had, Father encouraged her and finally, my darling Hansol, blissfully in love with my tormentor!"

She began to cackle, clutching her chest as she heaved heavy intakes of air. Jungkook sniffled, covering his mouth with his hands. Seokjin's bottom lip trembled and he looked away, unable to watch his dear sister's suffering.

"Oh, wouldn't her face be a picture, darling!" She mocked, looking at Hansol's frozen self. Clearly, he had never seen this side of her. "What glee she must be in! Ah, Chwe Hansol, you cheating bastard!"

Saying so, she slipped off her heel and threw it on his face. It bounced off his cheek and left a nasty scratch but Hansol didn't flinch. He stood there, letting the weight of what he had done, what he had been hiding, envelope him completely.

"Ms. Kim-" Wheein started again, but Hoseok continued to restrain her. What was wrong with her brother? Why was he letting a potential suspect in the harm's way?

Next, she picked up a fistful of the chess players that Taehyung and Jungkook were playing with and chucked them at him. He didn't move one bit and took the brunt of everything hurled at him.

Then, she found herself in the embrace of a warm body. She didn't need to look up to know that it was her beloved brother and soon, she burst into hot tears. Taehyung held on to her tighter, unmindful that his white shirt was getting spoiled. She wailed and wailed, her sobs growing louder each second.

Seokjin could take it no more.

"Chwe Hansol, you asshole!" He yelled and swung a wild punch at Hansol, who fell on the floor.

Jungkook gasped loudly, whereas Taehyung paid no attention - all his concern was only directed at his sister. He kept patting her back soothingly, rocking back and forth. Hoseok then let go of Wheein, who immediately restrained Seokjin.

The door banged open and the spinsterish face of Min Yoongi glared down at the people present in the library. He cast a look at his surroundings - took in Seokjin's restrained self, the cowering Hansol and then, Yerim's buried self in Taehyung's arms. Quite swiftly for his age, he approached Taehyung and motioned him to get up.

"Lemme fix 'er a nice cuppa o' 'ot tea. No need to call for tha' 'ousekeeper," he grunted.

Taehyung almost smiled but nodded in agreement. He heaved Yerim up and she complied, taking weak steps as the siblings exited the library with their uncle.

"Let me go," Seokjin persisted. Wheein raised her eyes. "I promise I won't do anything."

Seeing his earnestness, she let him go. He composed himself.

"You can take this vermin and do whatever you wish with him," he coughed.

Hansol looked up in horror.

"I didn't do it, if that's what you're thinking," he protested vociferously to deaf ears.

Hoseok cuffed him and led him out of the library. Wheein stayed back since Seokjin looked like he wished to speak to her.

"May I have a look at the will? It isn't as if I don't believe you but I would like to see it with my own eyes," he requested.

"I must admit, it got me quite curious," Jungkook said and maneuvered through the tables and chairs to get to them.

Wheein handed it to them. Jungkook bit his lip nervously when he finished reading it.

"So, it's true. He was having an affair with Joohyun."

"He will pay for this," Seokjin growled, handing the now slightly crumpled will back to Wheein.

He stormed out of the library with venom in his eyes.

Jungkook looked curious. "For all the nasty things I have heard about him, he still cares deeply about his family. Or is it his family honour?"

Wheein shook her head, wearing a slight smile. "No, it isn't. It is genuine love for his sister, even though they may not be blood siblings. That's a look my brother would give any of my cheating boyfriends. Of course, I'm not comparing my failed relationships with poor Ms. Kim's trauma. I hope she recovers soon."

"I hope so too," Jungkook said sadly.

*

As Hoseok pushed Hansol into the back of his vehicle, he asked him:

"Why didn't you let your sister hold back Seokjin earlier? Because of that, I ended up getting a bruise despite the police being present. Wouldn't that stain your professionality?"

Sneering, Hoseok held up two fingers. "Two reasons: first, you deserved it through and through. And second, I didn't want my sister to get hurt by accident for something that you deserved."

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